Vine-ripened tomoatoes
Fresh basil
Fresh moist mozzarella
A Taste of Olive Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Insalata Caprese is one of the simplest and most delicious of salads. It requires only the right ingredients and the right season. This is basically a summer dish from which follow the ingredients:

First, should be made only with local vine-ripened tomatoes that are red, juicy and flavorful but not overly soft, and preferably unrefrigerated.

Second, should be truly fragrant, flavorful young basil: green basil grown in the earth and sun, not the hydroponically grown giant leaf variety which has little flavor.

Third, should be good quality fresh, moist mozzarella. Good fresh cow's milk mozzarella (called Fior di latte) does just as well. Never use the yellow plastic-sheathed supermarket variety!

Finally, you need genuine extra-virgin olive oil, the best you can afford. With good quality fresh bread and a glass of cool or slightly chilled white wine, this makes an excellent summer lunch or, in a small portion, an ideal first course for a summer meal.

Arrange tomatoes, basil and mozzarella, drizzle with olive oil.